American journalist held in Syria for two years released

View full sizeIn this image made from undated video obtained by The Associated Press, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, a man believed to be Peter Theo Curtis, a U.S. citizen held hostage by an al-Qaida linked group in Syria, delivers a statement. The U.S. government said on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 that Curtis, who had been held hostage for about two years, had been released. (AP Photo)

An American journalist who had been kidnapped and held hostage for nearly two years was released Sunday, the day another American journalist was laid to rest after he was brutally executed by The Islamic State.

Peter Theo Curtis of Massachusetts was released by an al-Qaida-linked group in Syria, according to a Fox News story.

White House national security adviser Susan Rice told The Associated Press that Curtis is now safe outside of Syria. Curtis was held by an al-Qaida-linked group called Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as the Nusra Front.

According to The Associated Press, Curtis was released in the Golan Heights, where he was met by U.S. government personnel.

Curtis' release came on the same day as the memorial service for slain photojournalist James Foley. Foley was beheaded by the militant group The Islamic State.